Amaechi dares Tinubu, joins 2023 presidential race as Osinbajo finalizes consultations [VIDEO]

Nigeria’s Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has formally declared his interest in Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential race, TopNaija reports.

Amaechi, who previously served in oil-rich Rivers State as Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, is expected to be followed any moment from now by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who, sources said yesterday, has concluded consultations on his own aspiration.

Amaechi’s declaration immediately sparked a fresh controversy over Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires anyone holding a political office – minister, commissioner, special adviser and others – to relinquish such  to be  eligible to participate in the electoral process either as a candidate or as a delegate.”

President Muhammadu Buhari is opposed to the provision, citing what he called its contravention of the 1999 Constitution. He has, consequently, asked the National Assembly to expunge it from the Act.

A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia has also declared the provision null and void and asked the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister Abubakar  Malami (SAN) to delete it forthwith. The National Assembly has appealed against the ruling.

Amaechi, speaking at a special thanksgiving service organised by the Rivers State Chapter of the APC at Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium, Igwuurita-Ali in the state, said his decision was borne out of concern for suffering Nigerians.

He said having served as Speaker of the State House of Assembly for eight years, governor for another eight years and minister for seven years, “my years of experience has equipped me well.”

He said he was also “compelled by the urgency of our present challenges to place my experience and proven capacity at the service of the nation at the highest level.”

He said: “We are facing some very serious challenges as a country. These are problems of insecurity, challenges of greater accountability in governance, youth unemployment and scourge of spiral poverty.

“These problems are however not the exclusive preserve of Nigerians. We live in a troubled world; the reality we use to know has altered in nearly every nation.”

Amaechi said he would serve Nigerians as a servant and not a master, adding that he would be President to all Nigerians if elected into office.

He then jogged round the stadium to prove his physical fitness for the job.

At the declaration ceremony were Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, former national chairman of the APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Ali Ndume, among others.

Amaechi had late last month said on Arise Television that he had no interest in the presidential race.

He said groups and individuals urging him on to join the race should rather give him the money for nomination forms.

Osinbajo ends consultations, to declare ‘any moment from now’

From the camp of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came indications yesterday that he too is poised to formally join the race any moment from now, even as early as tomorrow, having concluded his consultations on whether to contest or not.

“He has ended his consultations across board and he will declare his stand any moment from now, even as early as Monday (tomorrow),” an Aso Rock  Presidential Villa source told The Nation yesterday.

Another source said: “His (Osinbajo) body language in the Villa is predictable. He has a team working day and night for his declaration.

“As at last week, his blueprint/manifesto was ready. He may introduce a digital dimension to the campaign.

“I think he is just biding his time for strategic reasons. Now, there are signs that in the next few days, he will open up.”

Chieftains of the APC who had earlier declared interest in the party’s presidential ticket are National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; former Abia State governor and serving senator, Orji Kalu and the immediate past governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.